"..i now have a backup usb hd.."

That's what this drive was for. When the PC crashed, it took the internal & external with it.

IT buddy says he's stumped - he handed it over to some techno-geeks to have a try.

BTW, I copied all of my pix that didn't get lost to a DVD last nite. I learn - painfully I learn.

Thanks for all your help guys. I'll keep you posted.